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Blogging works…

Winter arrived with full force last Friday. Within two hours the lake, frothy from white capped waves was frozen over and snow drifts began to accumulate. Soon a fluffy, white blanket covered the neighborhood and we didn’t see the sun till Sunday.

This is the time when I don’t leave my studio often. I finally found the energy to unpack the last trunk show duffel bag, workshop supplies and banished the killer dust bunnies from the floor. It is also the time I begin to reflect on the year.

I have had this blog for just over eleven months. I don’t really count the 2.5 years I had a blog directly linked to my website – few comments and hits made that my practice run… I launched this blog at the beginning of December 2011 and when I opened the statistics page this morning the counter had an exciting number to share. A few minutes ago it sat at 33,333 – a number I never reached with my website till it was up for three years!

My conclusion: Blogging works – for me it is ideal! I can share information whether I am on the road dashing from one teaching venue to another, I explore the world to capture great imagery, or I am home and working from the studio. I made a commitment nearly a year ago to post three times a week, and I have kept this promise to myself, you, the reader and the occasional visitor. I might not have been so diligent if I had not seen the counter go up steadily. March 11th, 2012 I reached an all-time high in one day: 929 hits! That was an amazing number for me, the rest of the posts reach anywhere from 50 to 200 hits per day, depending on the topic and who might be interested in what I have to share.

Based on these statistics I have made a commitment to continue blogging. At this time I am not sure if the three times per week schedule will continue. So, here is a little encouragement to share your expectations: Weigh in with a “like” and/or a short comment between today and December 6th (the first anniversary of this blog!), sign up as a follower and I will enter you into a draw. I currently have 233 steadfast supporters and I would like to see this number rise a little before the anniversary date.

What is the prize??? Check back on Thursday and I will post the prizes (s)! Thanks for leaving a comment below – be the first to get entered into the draw…

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86 thoughts on “Blogging works…”

Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so
I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Wonderful blog and brilliant design.

I can’t figure out how to follow on my iPad so I will comment. Although I am not a quilter, I wet felt, knit and dye, I really enjoy checking in on your blog. You have lots of great pictures and I really liked the design post. Please keep blogging!

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Pat! So glad that I have something of interest for someone who is not a quilter. I come from a spinning, felting and knitting background – I did not introduce quilting techniques into my work till 2002.

Love your blog with all of the wonderful inspirational info. You are some lady with loads of energy, talent, thoughtfulness and words of wisdom. Being part of what is happening with you and your friends online is so very interesting. I often wonder just how the many artists in the past would have loved this way of communicating too. I am sure that many of us would live in isolation if not for this wonderful invention. We live in a wonderous age when we can connect with all the artists everywhere in the world. Keep up the blogging to send us into raptures. Leona

Leona, you are such a wise woman and I am so fortunate to know you! I am also glad you embrace technology – too many women have turned their backs and refuse “to join the party because they are hoping the party will go away”… I just had someone tell me this today! Well folks – the internet is here to stay – as long as we have electricity, we can use the internet and stay in touch across the world!

Oh Bev, for me it is mind over matter. I don’t like winter and the cold either but… I LOVE what it does to my surroundings, sun dogs and all!
Thanks for weighing in with a comment. So good to see you are staying in touch after the great class in Prescott.

Thanks for the great presentations in Saskatoon. I enjoy recieving your blog posts as there is always something to inspire me including your photos. Yes – this past weekend was a time to tidy up the sewing space and start a new project. I will soon start another Kantha piece as it is so portable. Diane Cochrane Saskatoon

Diane, you are so very welcome – the thank you goes right back to you for really talking up your Kantha workshop experience during both show-and-tell opportunities! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Anna – your blog is one that I follow regularly, although it took me a little while to hook up with the blog after being used to the newsletter. Thanks for all your inspiration, and for publicly sharing your life as a working artist.

Linda, thank you for sharing! When I published my newsletter I would receive many feedback comments via email – with the blog these are less regular. However, I do know that the followers and regular readers appreciate the content. My workshops are most often fully subscribed and I attribute this to regular updates on my blog.

What a lot of great comments! Well, you did ask.
I save a lot of your blogs – creativity, workshop practice, wow photos. It is like dropping into your studio which wouldn’t be easy from Devon, UK.
Please do keep sharing.
Shirley

Nelly, so good to see that you are weighing in with a comment! Oh yes, with the snow come all sorts of wonderful things… for example an amazing Aurora Borealis display last night… which I captured on camera for the very first time. I will be posting a sampling on Sunday!

Anna it is lovely to read that you will be continuing with your blog. I seldom comment yet read every post; your photos are stellar and the text of your posts is stimulating and informational, pure delight for me. What a treat that you are hosting a giveaway.

I have really enjoyed your pictures along with the inspiration they provide, Anna. I am glad you plan to continue sharing your ideas with us in your blog. I am amazed you find time to do so much sharing, but am glad to be able to learn from your experiences.
Barb

As a newbie quilter, I enjoy your thoughts on the creative/design process. When I’m ready to try art quilting, I’d love to take one of your classes. In the meantime, your blog gives me lots of inspiration.

Leslie, good to hear you find this blog helpful in your quilting journey. Art quilting requires traditional knowledge and techniques – everything I do and teach is steeped in tradition… I just add a little twist here and there.

Hi Anna, I enjoy the variety of topics you post on your blog. I get to do some arm chair travel, learn things about art, be inspired by your photos and just have a bit of fun. The variety is what keeps me interested.

Jaynie, good to hear that you like the variety. That is what keeps me going as well. I never set out for this to be a repeat of what can be found in books. What you see here is what I love and do! Thanks so much for commenting!

Hi Anna, yes I am glad to hear you will continue to blog. I enjoy the slide shows and your comments. Wow we sure got lots of snow and enjoyed the storm as I was held up in my sewing room. Take care. Bonnie

I enjoy your blog immensely and have given your blog site to all my art group. I appreciate your insights in art quilting and your photographs are not to be missed. So please keep blogging – I would totally understand if you had to cut it down to once or twice a week! I simply can’t fathom just how much you seem to accomplish!

Thank you so much, Karen! Your continued support means a lot, and through sharing we grow!
About cutting back with blogging – I have to see if it will actually become a reality. I am not sure which days would be best and when I look at the statistics I realize that the increased hits are generally on the days that I publish a new entry…

I agree with the rest: you offer so much information along with sharing your personal art journey. And, I might add, you were a huge help to me, personally, when I needed guidance concerning my own teaching experience.

Yours is one of the few blogs I actually follow and my dream is to take one of your classes next year. You have a formidable talent, backed by a great intellect and amazing organizational skills. You have taught me much already just by sheer example. Thank you for sharing so much with us.

Ann, I will continue! I always worry about not providing enough content or information. Sometimes I wonder if people are interested in just the photo slideshow… but with today’s comments I will worry no more!

Hello Anna- I often “save” your site for a time when I have more energy and appreciation of your thoughtful posts and great pictures. You seem to have a boundless depth of creativity and energy to express it. You are an amazing artist.

Linda, it appears that the blog inspires you and so many others who are weighing in with comments today. I will take this as a sign to continue on my path!
It helps me with staying organized and motivated. Thank you for taking the time to contribute with feedback.

I enjoy your thoughts on the blog. They are often transferable to other things I’m doing and give me the courage to try. I’m so glad you came to Victoria those many years ago, and that it put me in touch with such a strong and creative woman.

You are an inspiration with each and every post……your blog is full of information, insights and photos and I look forward to them whenever you can fit them into your busy days.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I LOVE your blog Anna! On the days you post it is my “creative coffee”, the inspiration I need to get me going in a creative way. Your blog has taught me a lot about the commitment of a true artist – YOU! Thank you for passing on your wisdom and knowledge, I very much appreciate seeing the world through your eyes. xx Alison

Thank you, Phyllis!!! I saw that your day in St. John’s is clear and the views are spectacular via the sky cam…
Truth be told: I find much inspiration in the blog myself. It helps me stay focused and committed – a realization I experienced almost immediately after switching to the WordPress site. Looks like my efforts are worthwhile!

That is so great, Theresa!!!
Even if we don’t live “just around the corner” planning Artisan Fairs this is our best way to stay connected… besides the occasional Skype call.
I really treasure your support.

Hi Anna… Your blog is just what I need in the mornings as you post. Certainly the content is always informative and your knowledge andskills base are so valuable to each of us as a resource. The sharing of the design issues is invaluable and always, the slideshow is terrific. THANK YOU for the time, the commitment and the inspiration…. always in awe!
Bethany in Kingston, ON

I look forward to your blog and have learned so much about art. Things I never thought about when putting a quilt together. I’m beginning to look at the pieces of fabric from a whole new perspective. Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to enlighten us. Also, from someone who has left the prairies behind, thanks for sharing the pictures that remind me of home.

Katina, you are such a loyal follower and I appreciate your sharing how valuable the blog is for you. Teaching and sharing has been an active part of my life – from my days training in Munich in the 1970s to this day I try to identify something each day worthwhile sharing.
I am glad you are enjoying the prairie imagery – after my trips east this years it feels good to walk about and gather new images closer to home.